Remote enclosure systems and methods of production thereof

ABSTRACT

Remote enclosure systems have now been designed and are described herein that meet the following goals: a) consolidate electrical terminations in one system; b) pre-terminate AC and DC equipment loads before site installation; c) provide multiple access points for facilitating equipment repair and installation; d) are easily configurable and expanded through the use of a modular frame design that accommodates a variety of customized side panels or the attachment of a variety of expansion cabinets; e) are aesthetically functional given the cable entry and routing structure; f) provide exceptional thermal management and g) reduce problems inherent in conventional electronic setups. Remote enclosure systems contemplated generally include: a) a frame system further comprising at least two side panels; b) at least one door coupled to the frame system; c) a cable management top assembly coupled to the frame system; d) at least one removable radiofrequency (RF) management system, such as at least one RF port plate, at least one RF port, at least one RF cable or any other suitable system for managing RF signals and a combination thereof, coupled to at least one of the side panels, coupled to and/or located within the cable management top assembly and/or coupled to and/or located within the frame system or a combination thereof and e) a bottom panel coupled to the frame system. The remote enclosure system may also comprise any number of components suitable for electronics, wireless and cable-based data and telecommunications applications, including air conditioner exhaust member, an air conditioner unit, a battery pack, a meter base, a power receptacle box, an alarm system or alarm device, an expansion cabinet, a coupling device or system, a pre-wiring system and/or a demarcation component.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/379,480 filed on May 10, 2002, PCT Application Ser. No.:PCT/US02/34800 filed on Oct. 30, 2002 and is a continuation in part ofU.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/481,306 filed on Jun. 8, 2004, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,269,030, which are commonly-owned and incorporatedherein in their entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND

The telecommunications and data communications industries have grownexponentially in the last 5 to 8 years partly because both industrieshave been able to expand their customer base from customers that areclose to the center of operations/transmissions to customers who arelocated a significant distance from the center ofoperations/transmissions. Expansion of data transmissions to customerslocated at significant distances from the center of operations isfacilitated by remote sites that are portable and smaller than thecenter of operations site. Both industries include those utilities andindustries that provide one-way and two-way data transmission andtransportation. The telecommunications industry also includes wirelesscommunications, wire-based communications and combinations thereof.Wireless communications includes infrared, satellite, antennae, etc.Wire-based communications includes fiber optic cable, conventionalcable, coax cable, shielded and unshielded twisted pair cable, etc.

Remote sites usually contain electrical and telecommunications wiringand components, such as batteries, antennae, circuit boards, keypads andother related components that in many cases can be fragile, relativelyinaccessible and certainly sensitive to the elements and otherenvironmental conditions. Therefore, these remote sites should beenclosed or otherwise contained in a protective enclosure system.

The remote sites should be monitored to identify system failures, suchas surge suppression modules, air conditioners and fans, power reciters,batteries and other alarmed user equipment. Additionally, the monitoringshall report site changes, such as cabinet intrusion, temperature andhumidity changes. The remote sites should also be environmentallycontrolled, such as with air conditioning, heating, and humiditycontrol, so that the electrical and telecommunications components do notbreak down, short out or otherwise degrade leading to poor performanceof the components or products.

Also, the remote site should be easy to access. A remote enclosuresystem or protective enclosure system is the industry choice forprotecting and accessing components and other instrumentation at aremote site. (see Prior Art FIG. 1) In Prior Art FIG. 1, theconventional remote enclosure system 10 comprises side panels 50, doors70 with handles 78 and an additional component 76, such as an airconditioner unit or base power supply. Conventional enclosure systemsare configured as a cabinet arrangement and are either built to standardspecifications then modified on-site or are built to customspecifications—which presents manufacturing/assembly line issues andproblems.

Often times, in conventional remote enclosure systems, some componentswill be easy to access, swap out and repair; but other components willbe difficult, if not impossible, to access without moving othercomponents around or removing them altogether. The process of repairing,replacing or accessing difficult to access components can be made moredifficult depending on the site location of the remote enclosure systemand the environmental conditions surrounding the remote enclosuresystem.

Remote enclosure systems also present other layers of complexity whenreviewing the viability of a remote site. If the remote site is small orotherwise constrained, the remote enclosure must be sufficiently smalland accessible. If the remote site is in an area where there areenvironmental challenges, such as severe heat, rain, snow or extremecold—the remote enclosure system should be able to withstand theenvironmental challenges, while being easy to access and easy with whichto work.

Based on the drawbacks, disadvantages and cost issues of conventionalremote enclosure systems, it would be useful to develop and implement aremote enclosure system that a) consolidates electrical terminations inone system; b) pre-terminates AC and DC equipment loads before siteinstallation; c) provides multiple access points for facilitatingequipment repair and installation; d) is easily configurable andexpanded through the use of a modular frame design that accommodates avariety of customized side panels or the attachment of a variety ofexpansion cabinets; e) is aesthetically functional given the cable entryand routing structure; f) provides exceptional thermal management and g)reduces problems inherent in conventional electronic setups.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Remote enclosure systems have now been designed and are described hereinthat meet the following goals: a) consolidate electrical terminations inone system; b) pre-terminate AC and DC equipment loads before siteinstallation; c) provide multiple access points for facilitatingequipment repair and installation; d) are easily configurable andexpanded through the use of a modular frame design that accommodates avariety of customized side panels or the attachment of a variety ofexpansion cabinets; e) are aesthetically functional given the cableentry and routing structure; f) provide exceptional thermal managementand g) reduce problems inherent in conventional electronic setups.

Remote enclosure systems contemplated generally comprise: a) a framesystem further comprising at least two side panels; b) at least one doorcoupled to the frame system; c) a cable management assembly coupled tothe frame system; d) at least one removable radiofrequency (RF)management system or assembly, such as an RF port plate, at least one RFcable, an RF port or any other suitable system for managing RF signals,coupled to at least one of the side panels, the frame system, the cablemanagement assembly or combinations thereof and e) a bottom panelcoupled to the frame system. The remote enclosure system may alsocomprise any number of components suitable for electronics, wireless andcable-based data and telecommunications applications, including airconditioner exhaust member, an air conditioner unit, a battery pack, ameter base, a power receptacle box, an alarm system or alarm device, anexpansion cabinet, a coupling device or system, a pre-wiring systemand/or a demarcation component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a prior art conventional remote enclosure system;

FIG. 2 shows a contemplated frame system;

FIG. 3 shows another contemplated frame system;

FIG. 4 shows contemplated components of a frame system;

FIG. 5 shows a contemplated frame system that comprises at least oneremovable side panel;

FIG. 6 shows components of a contemplated remote enclosure system;

FIG. 7 shows components of another contemplated remote enclosure system;

FIGS. 8A-D shows the detail of contemplated coupling devices.

FIG. 9 shows a contemplated cable management assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Remote enclosure systems have now been designed and are described hereinthat meet the following goals: a) consolidate electrical terminations inone system; b) pre-terminate AC and DC equipment loads before siteinstallation; c) provide multiple access points for facilitatingequipment repair and installation; d) are easily configurable andexpanded through the use of a modular frame design that accommodates avariety of customized side panels or the attachment of a variety ofexpansion cabinets; e) are aesthetically functional given the cableentry and routing structure; f) provide exceptional thermal managementand g) reduce problems inherent in conventional electronic setups.

Remote enclosure systems contemplated generally comprise: a) a framesystem further comprising at least two side panels; b) at least one doorcoupled to the frame system; c) a cable management assembly coupled tothe frame system; d) at least one removable radiofrequency (RF)management system or assembly, such as an RF port plate, at least one RFcable, an RF port or any other suitable system for managing RF signals,coupled to at least one of the side panels, coupled to at least one ofthe side panels, the frame system, the cable management assembly orcombinations thereof and e) a bottom panel coupled to the frame system.The remote enclosure system may also comprise any number of componentssuitable for electronics, wireless and cable-based data andtelecommunications applications, including air conditioner exhaustmember, an air conditioner unit, a battery pack, a meter base, a powerreceptacle box, an alarm system or alarm device, an expansion cabinet, acoupling device or system, a pre-wiring system and/or a demarcationcomponent.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show examples of contemplated frame systems. In allcontemplated embodiments, the frame system is designed to providesupport for the side panels, the door(s), the expansion cabinet(s), thebottom panel, the top assembly and any other panels, systems,components, assemblies or plates that are coupled to the frame system,the side panels, the door(s), the expansion cabinet(s), the bottom paneland the cable management assembly. As long as the frame system providessupport for all of the constituent components disclosed above, the framesystem may be shaped or formed in any suitable shape and with anyreasonable dimensions keeping in mind that this frame system is formingthe foundation of the remote enclosure system that will be utilized atremote sites.

FIG. 2 shows a contemplated frame system 208 having four (4) verticalcorner beams 210 (one corner beam in back not shown), four (4) tophorizontal cross beams 220, four (4) bottom horizontal cross beams 230(two back bottom horizontal cross beams represented by dashed lines),and two (2) vertical side beams 240. FIG. 3 shows another contemplatedframe system 308 comprising four (4) vertical corner beams 310 (onecorner beam in back represented by dashed lines), four (4) tophorizontal cross beams 320, four (4) bottom horizontal cross beams 330(two bottom horizontal cross beams represented by dashed lines), and twohorizontal side beams 340 (one horizontal side beam represented bydashed lines). It should be appreciated that all of the beams may becoupled to one another by any suitable manner, including soldering,bolts, adhesives, molding, grips or a combination thereof. It should befurther appreciated that although the contemplated embodiments list, forexample, four (4) bottom horizontal cross beams 230 and 330, that theymay be coupled together before assembly of the frame system to form one(1) square or rectangular top frame. The same is true for the cornerbeams, the top horizontal cross beams, or any combination thereof. Asused herein, the term “mold” or “molding” is used to describe theprocess whereby a material is either physically shaped or poured into amold to form a particular and/or contemplated shape, structure orcomponent. It should also be appreciated that what appears in the framesystem as four (4) bottom horizontal cross beams 230 or 330 may be four(4) cross beams 430, two (2) sets of cross beams at 90° angles to oneanother coupled together 432 or one (1) square or rectangular beamassembly 434. (see FIG. 4)

FIGS. 8A-D show several contemplated embodiments of a coupling device orapparatus. Holes 809 can be punched, drilled or otherwise formed in thebeams of the frame system 808 and corresponding holes 811 drilled,punched or otherwise formed in the side panels 850, expansion cabinetand/or other components, such as the cable management assembly 895. Ascrew 801 and nut 803 or bolt 801 and nut coupling device, along with alock washer (not shown) can be used then to couple the frame system 808with the side panels, the expansion cabinet and/or other components. Thescrew 801 or bolt 801 will be inserted through the hole 811 either onthe frame system 808 or the other component 850 to the other component850 or the frame system 808, respectively. The nut 803 is then attachedand tightened on the bolt 801 or screw 801 in order to couple the framesystem 808 with the side panels 850, the expansion cabinet(s) and/or theother components. In a more specific example, holes and correspondingmatch holes are punched, drilled or otherwise formed in the beams of theframe assembly, the side panels, the expansion cabinet, and/or anothercomponent, such as the cable management assembly. A ¼″ sheer (shown inFIG. 8B as 802) with a bolt is placed in each hole. The bolt mates upwith PEM® nut that is placed at the corresponding match hole. The ¼″sheer controls the compression of the gasket. As used herein, a PEM® nutor PEM® fastener are specific fasteners that can also be described as aself-clinching fastener, a captive fastener or a threaded insert. Thismethod of mating and attaching components ensures that there will belittle to no damage to the gasket in the field and also ensures that thecompression can be controlled within a desired specification. Insulatingtape or another method of insulation 877 can also be coupled to theframe system at the coupling interface 874 in order to further insulatethe internal space of the remote enclosure system and is resistant toenvironmental conditions.

Contemplated frame systems further comprise at least two side panels.The side panels can perform several functions, including a) enclosingthe internal space of the frame system; b) protecting the internal spaceof the frame system from the external environment; c) providing a pointor area of attachment (also referred to herein as a “couplinginterface”) for other components, such as expansion cabinets, meterbases, air conditioners, RF management systems and combinations thereof,including the power assemblies disclosed in U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo.: 60/389,906 filed on Jun. 18, 2002 and PCT Application Ser. No.:PCT/US03/19101, which are incorporated herein in their entirety; and d)providing a demarcation shield (also referred to herein as a“demarcation component”) between electronic and/or power components andtelecommunications components by shielding any electromagnetic wavesproduced by the electronic components from the telecommunicationscomponents. The side panels may be placed on or coupled with the framesystem such that at least one is exposed to the outside environment andat least one is used as a point of connection, a coupling interfaceand/or demarcation with the at least one expansion cabinet. The sidepanels may be coupled to the frame system, such that they are allremovable, they are all not removable or at least one is removable andthe others are not. FIG. 5 shows a frame system 508 comprising two sidepanels 550, wherein one of the side panels is removable 552 and one sidepanel is not removable 555. For the side panel 552 that is removable, inthis embodiment, the side panel is coupled to the frame system by aseries of screw and nut pairs 560. The side panel 555 that is notremovable may be coupled to the frame system by any suitable process,including soldering, welding, molding, pressure welding, adhesives andany combination thereof.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show components of a contemplated remote enclosure system600, wherein the additional components, aside from those alreadydisclosed, are shown and an assembled embodiment of a remote enclosuresystem 700, respectively. At least one door 670 and 770 is coupled tothe frame system 608 and 708 by any suitable coupling apparatus 672 and772 or process, including hinges, bolts, springs, tracks (for slidingdoors) and combinations thereof. The at least one door 670 and 770 isdesigned to provide easy access to the internal space 615 and 715 of theremote enclosure system 600 and 700 and the components containedtherein, while providing similar environmental protections as the atleast two side panels 650 and 750. One or more of the at least one door670 and 770 may also provide a point/area of attachment or couplinginterface 674 and 774 (not shown) with another component 676 and 776,such as a meter base or temperature gauge. The at least one door 670 and770 may also comprise a handle, knob, indention, protrusion or otherapparatus 678 and 778 to move the door from the open to the closedposition with respect to the internal space 615 and 715 of the remoteenclosure system 600 and 700. The door 670 and 770 may also comprise asuitable lock, alarm system and/or alarm device (not shown in Figures).In some contemplated embodiments, at least one of the at least one dooris removable. It should also be noted that, as used herein, the term“removable” means that the component can be or is capable of beingphysically and completely removed from the frame assembly, the cablemanagement system, the RF management system or remote enclosure system.It should also be understood that the term “removable” may also meanthat the component may be physically relocated from its originalposition, but not completely removed. An example of this secondprovision is when a door is opened by sliding it along a track toanother part of the remote enclosure system, or when a removable RFmanagement system, such as a port which will be discussed later, is slidon a track to another location on the frame system, side panel or othercomponent of the remote enclosure system.

Remote enclosure systems contemplated herein comprise at least oneremovable RF management system 680 and 780 that is coupled to at leastone of the side panels 650 and 750 (not shown) and/or to the framesystem 608 and 708 and can be moved or configured to suit theinstallation requirements of the customer. In some embodiments, therewill be additional plates 682 and 782 that are, in most cases, the samesize/dimension as the RF management system 680. and 780, that arecoupled to the side panels 650 and 750 and/or frame system 608 and 708and that are designed to also be removed and replaced with at least oneremovable RF management system 680 and 780. The additional plate 682 and782 will then be placed in the same space from where the at least oneremovable RF management system 680 and 780 was just removed, thusresulting in a closed internal space 615 and 715 inside the remoteenclosure system 600 and 700. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, there are tworemovable and interchangeable plates 682 and 782 and at least oneremovable RF management system 680 and 780, so that the end user orcustomer can configure the enclosure system 600 and 700 to suit theirparticular installation needs by simply switching the at least oneremovable RF management system, such as an RF port 680 and 780 withanother plate 682 and 782.

A bottom panel 690 and 790 is coupled to the bottom portion of the framesystem 608 and 708, as shown in both FIGS. 6 and 7. The bottom panel 690and 790 may be coupled to the frame system 608 and 708 by any suitableapparatus or process, including those previously described herein, andis designed to become at least a portion of the floor of the remoteenclosure system 600 and 700. The bottom panel 690 and 790 may furtherbe coupled to a support system or other type of system that facilitatesmovement of the remote enclosure system 600 and 700, such as thatdescribed in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.: 60/400,935 filed onAug. 1, 2002 and PCT Application Ser. No.: PCT/US03/24046 filed on Jul.31, 2003, which are incorporated herein in its entirety.

A cable management assembly 695 and 795 is coupled to the frame system608 and 708. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the cable management system is showncoupled to the top of the frame system; however, it should be understoodthat the cable management system may be coupled to at least one of theside panels and/or the frame system or may be located at least partlyinside the frame system. In this example, the cable management assembly695 and 795 comprises a top panel 696 and 796 and an optional exhaust orvent member 698 and 798 between and coupled to both the frame system 608and 708 and the top panel 696 and 796 is designed to vent air from theair conditioner, ozone formed from electronic components and any otherfumes produced by the electronic or telecommunications components, suchas smoke, bum-off fumes, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen-basedcompounds and combinations thereof.

Another embodiment of the cable management assembly 995 is shown in FIG.9. As shown, there is routing passageway 996 formed in the cablemanagement assembly 995 that allows cables 997 and other electronicconnections to be routed from the internal space 915 of the remoteenclosure system 900 into the cable management assembly 995 and/or viceversa. Under normal conditions, the routing passageway 996 would violatethe UL/NEMA rating, but because of the utilization of the couplingdevices disclosed herein, the integrity of the remote access cabinet 900is maintained and the UL/NEMA rating is not violated. The cablemanagement assembly also provides a secure place for routing and storingthe external wiring until installation can be completed. The NEMA ratingrelates to the environmental testing criteria that needs to be withstoodin order to get a specific rating. For example, NEMA 3R would not allowfalling rain striking the cabinet at trajectories greater than 60degrees to enter the cabinet; however, under certain conditions, raincan enter the cabinet but there should be a means for the water toescape.

In the embodiments where the cable management system is located at leastpartly on one of the side panels, the cable management system is alsodesigned to meet the UL/NEMA standards. In addition, like the cablemanagement system located on top of the frame system, the cablemanagement system located at least partly on one of the side panels canbe utilized as a coupling system to couple more than one remoteenclosure system depending on the needs of the customer or site. In yetother embodiments, the cable management system may be located at leastpartly inside the frame system.

The system also comprises a pre-wiring system, wiring and additionalconfiguration in order to facilitate installation, access and or initialor intermediate set-up. One embodiment of the remote enclosure systemcontemplated herein comes completely pre-wired with a pre-wiring systemand is pre-configured with electrical and telecommunications componentsso that installation time is greatly reduced and cost savings to the enduser or customer is realized. Sample cost savings are shown in Table 1.As used herein, the phrase “pre-wiring system” means that most or all ofthe basic wiring is provided in the remote enclosure system withavailable connections and termination points before the remote enclosuresystem is placed at the remote site and subsequently activated.Pre-wiring systems contemplated herein may comprise fiber optic cableand wiring, conventional electrical wiring, and wireless transmissionswiring or wiring necessary to set up wireless communications.

Contemplated electronic components (shown in FIG. 7 as 786) comprisecircuit boards, chip packaging, dielectric components of circuit boards,printed-wiring boards, and other components of circuit boards, such ascapacitors, inductors, and resistors. As used herein, the phrase “remotesite” is used herein to describe any site that is not the originalassembly site for the remote enclosure system, and in many instances,refers to the site where the remote enclosure system is located beforeactivation.

At least one expansion cabinet 699 or 799 can be coupled with the remoteenclosure system 600 and 700 to expand the remote enclosure system 600and 700. The at least one expansion cabinet 699 and 799 can containtelecommunications components or electronic components that are subjectto a demarcation shield from the original remote enclosure system. Theat least one expansion cabinet 699 and 799 is coupled to at least one ofthe frame system 608 and 708 and/or at least one of the side panels 650and 750 at a coupling interface, which has been previously described. Aninsulating material 800 (not shown in FIG. 6) may also be located at thecoupling interface to insulate the internal space 615 and 715 from theoutside environment by closing any gaps between the at least oneexpansion cabinet 699 and 799 and the frame system 608 and 708 and/orthe at least one side panel 650 and 750.

As used herein, the term “electronic component” also means any device orpart that can be used in a circuit to obtain some desired electricalaction. Electronic components contemplated herein may be classified inmany different ways, including classification into active components andpassive components. Active components are electronic components capableof some dynamic function, such as amplification, oscillation, or signalcontrol, which usually requires a power source for its operation.Examples are bipolar transistors, field-effect transistors, andintegrated circuits. Passive components are electronic components thatare static in operation, i.e., are ordinarily incapable of amplificationor oscillation, and usually require no power for their characteristicoperation. Examples are conventional resistors, capacitors, inductors,diodes, rectifiers and fuses.

Electronic components contemplated herein may also be classified asconductors, semiconductors, or insulators. Here, conductors arecomponents that allow charge carriers (such as electrons) to move withease among atoms as in an electric current. Examples of conductorcomponents are circuit traces and vias comprising metals. Insulators arecomponents where the function is substantially related to the ability ofa material to be extremely resistant to conduction of current, such as amaterial employed to electrically separate other components, whilesemiconductors are components having a function that is substantiallyrelated to the ability of a material to conduct current with a naturalresistivity between conductors and insulators. Examples of semiconductorcomponents are transistors, diodes, some lasers, rectifiers, thyristorsand photosensors.

Electronic components contemplated herein may also be classified aspower sources or power consumers. Power source components are typicallyused to power other components, and include batteries, capacitors,coils, and fuel cells. Power consuming components include resistors,transistors, integrated circuits (ICs), sensors, and the like.

Still further, electronic components contemplated herein may also beclassified as discreet or integrated. Discreet components are devicesthat offer one particular electrical property concentrated at one placein a circuit. Examples are resistors, capacitors, diodes, andtransistors. Integrated components are combinations of components thatthat can provide multiple electrical properties at one place in acircuit. Examples are integrated circuits in which multiple componentsand connecting traces are combined to perform multiple or complexfunctions such as logic.

Telecommunications components include fiber optic cable and otheroptical materials, such as waveguides, data transmission wires andlines, copper wire, coax cable, keyboards and monitors and the like.

Electronic components 786, telecommunications components 786 and othersuitable components 786 can be attached to or placed on a shelf orshelving system (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 as 692 and 792, respectively)located in the internal space of the remote enclosure system, whereinthe shelf or shelving system is coupled to at least one of the framesystem, the side panels, the cable management top assembly and/or thebottom panel. As mentioned earlier, electronic components,telecommunications components and other suitable components may also bedirectly coupled to one or more of the frame system, side panels, cablemanagement top assembly and bottom panel without the assistance of ashelf or shelving system. It is also contemplated that certaincomponents, such as a meter base or air conditioning unit may beprimarily located outside of the remote enclosure system.

Several embodiments of the remote enclosure system are formulated out ofnon-corrosive aluminum, however, any suitable metal, composite material,polymer or plastic material, fiberglass or appropriate or suitablematerial or combination of materials may be used, as long as thematerial or materials is/are capable of successfully and efficientlyhousing power and telecommunications components. The material(s) thatis/(are) exposed to the outdoor environment must also be able towithstand environmental conditions, such as heat, rain, snow, hail, ice,cold weather, high wind, pressure changes and/or dust storms. As usedherein, the term “metal” means those elements that are in the d-blockand f-block of the Periodic Chart of the Elements, along with thoseelements that have metal-like properties, such as silicon and germanium.As used herein, the phrase “d-block” means those elements that haveelectrons filling the 3 d, 4 d, 5 d, and 6 d orbitals surrounding thenucleus of the element. As used herein, the phrase “f-block” means thoseelements that have electrons filling the 4 f and 5 f orbitalssurrounding the nucleus of the element, including the lanthanides andthe actinides. Preferred metals include titanium, silicon, cobalt,copper, nickel, zinc, vanadium, aluminum, chromium, platinum, gold,silver, tungsten, molybdenum, cerium, promethium, and thorium. Morepreferred metals include titanium, silicon, copper, nickel, platinum,gold, silver and tungsten. Most preferred metals include titanium,silicon, copper and nickel. The term “metal” also includes alloys,metal/metal composites, metal ceramic composites, metal polymercomposites, as well as other metal composites.

Table 2 lists a sample setup configuration of a contemplated remoteenclosure system, but it should be appreciated that any appropriate setup may be accomplished inside this enclosure system. For example, aremote enclosure system can be pre-configured with a 300A-48VDC powerdistribution center and battery connection cables, however, a remoteenclosure system of this type can be pre-configured with other types ofpower distribution centers and battery connection cables/wires.

Table 2 also shows specifications for one embodiment of the remoteenclosure system; however, it should be appreciated that the remoteenclosure system may be built or pre-configured to additional and/ordifferent specifications. For example, under “Environmental” Table 2shows that there is an air conditioner with a heater in the remoteenclosure system. A humidifier or dehumidifier may also be added to thesystem, or an air conditioner without the heater and vice versa may bepresent or added in the system. Another example would be that the remoteenclosure system can be designed to be smaller or larger depending onthe needs of the remote site or remote lease site.

Keeping with this theme, a contemplated remote enclosure system cancomprise a frame system where side, top and/or bottom panels andexpansion cabinets are bolted in place to allow base modules that can bemanufactured in high quantity optimized production runs. Thesecontemplated remote enclosure systems can then provide rapidinstallation, set up, integration and utilization solutions for thecustomer, because instead of having to initially produce the entirecabinet, the enclosure system can be modified and plates produced thatwould bolt to the frame. Or two or more expansion cabinets can be boltedtogether and/or with the original frame system for greater space.Another advantage with this modular design is that assemblies can beoutsourced to many fabricators depending on quantity and timerequirements. Another benefit/advantage is, by virtue of the design,cabinetized solutions can be produced that are custom built, quickly andeconomically and provide an inherent growth platform for customers andend users.

Remote enclosure systems contemplated herein also offer at least one ofthe following benefits/advantages (which are not necessarily intended tobe objects of the invention):

-   -   a. All site electrical terminations are accomplished in one        system or unit without the need for additional systems or units,        hence reducing the site electrical costs by approximately        $6K-$10K per site.    -   b. Overall lease site dimensions are reduced significantly        because all or most of the terminations are consolidated.    -   c. Pre-termination of AC and DC equipment loads reduces site        installation time by 4-6 hours.    -   d. Network construction timelines are improved by facilitating        site electrical/telecommunications inspections before and        outside of the arrival of the radio base stations.    -   e. The remote enclosure system provides multiple equipment        access points for facilitating equipment repair and        installation.    -   f. The remote enclosure system modular cabinet design allows for        site expansion through the attachment of additional systems or        cabinets.    -   g. Cable entry/routing allows for improved site aesthetics,        which helps the site approval process through the local        government.

A remote enclosure system may be produced by: a) providing a framesystem having at least two side panels, at least one door coupled to theframe system, at least one radiofrequency (RF) management system orassembly, such as an RF port plate, at least one RF cable, an RF port orany other suitable system for managing RF signals coupled to at leastone of the side panels, a bottom panel coupled to the frame system, or atop assembly coupled to the frame system; b) providing an expansioncabinet; and c) coupling the frame system to the expansion cabinetthrough a coupling interface. Providing the frame system or theexpansion cabinet may comprise obtaining these components from anoutsourced vendor or producing all or some of the components in house.In addition, coupling the frame system to the expansion cabinet througha coupling interface may comprise any suitable coupling apparatus ordevice, as mentioned previously. A cable management system may also becoupled to the remote enclosure system as described herein.

In some cases, the remote enclosure systems contemplated herein willcomprise two or more of the benefits and advantages listed above, but itshould be appreciated that remote enclosure systems contemplated hereinmay only comprise one of the benefits/advantages shown above, and thatin no way limits the inherent usefulness of the remote enclosure system.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of compositions and methodsto construct and produce remote enclosure systems have been disclosed.It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that manymore modifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced.

TABLE 1 Total Dollars Conventional Remote Enclosure System Single UltraSite with 1 ETII (A) 23,350 Double Ultra Site with 2 ETII (B) 38,300Triple Ultra Site with 3 ETII (C) 53,250 Contemplated Remote EnclosureSystem Single Ultra Site with 1 Battery (A) 15,146 Single Ultra Sitewith 2 Battery (A) 16,066 Double Ultra Site with 2 Battery (B) 18,046Triple Ultra Site with 2 Battery (C) 20,026

TABLE 2 Physical Overall Exterior Dimensions 77″ H × 48″ W × 31″ DInternal Dimensions 68″ H × 30″ W × 31″ D-Equipment Compartment 68″ H ×18″ W × 31″ D-Side Compartment 9″ H × 48″ W × 31″ D-Top CompartmentWeight (Approx. in Lbs.) 200 (Cabinet Only) 350 (DC Plant [300 ADCCapacity]) 100 Air Conditioner 470 (1 String of 155 Ahr Batteries [48V]) Construction Material 0.125″ Thick Aluminum (light-weight, corrosionresistant) Powder Coat Paint UL Pantone (Cod Gray) TGIC PolyesterInsulation Foil backed insulation on interior surfaces Door (Front &SideDoors, Rear Hatch removable) Latches Three-point latched, Nokia-keyedentry, with door alarms Gasket ASTM and UL rated for outdoor useEquipment/Battery Mounting EIA Std 23″ Rack Rails 22 U (38.5″) of rackspace (6 U open with 300 A −48 VDC Power/Dist Plant installed) Zone4Compliant Battery Accommodates 2 strings of 155 Ahr VRLA batteries (~29″H) Shelves Pre-crimped &routed battery cable assemblies availableEnvironmental Air Conditioner with Heater Typical 4,000 Btu/Hr and 350 Wheater Standard Features AC Power Receptacle Box 4-Outlet gangbox forreceptacles (GFI available) Cable-entry Ports Top Compartment alignsprecisely to Nokia Ultrasite for Power and RF Cable Routing Power/DataKnockouts Various for power/grounding &data routing with liquid-tightseals Integrated Grounding UL-approved bonding hardware and easilyaccessible Construction mounting points for “single-point” groundingAgency Listing NEMA 4 (Equipment area), UL Compliant cabinet NEMA 3R(Top &Side Compartment)

1. A method of producing a remote enclosure system, comprising:providing a frame system having at least two side panels and a topportion, at least one door coupled to the frame system, at least oneradiofrequency (RF) management system or cable management assemblycoupled to at least one of the side panels, the frame system, the cablemanagement assembly or combinations thereof, a bottom panel coupled tothe frame system, and a cable management assembly coupled to the topportion of the frame system, wherein the at least one radiofrequency(RF) management system manages RF signals; providing an expansioncabinet; and coupling the frame system to the expansion cabinet througha coupling interface, wherein each of the cable management assemblycomprises an internal space such that cables and other electronicconnections can be stored in the internal space of the cable managementassembly or can be routed into or out of the internal space of the framesystem into the internal space of each of the cable management assembly.2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two sidepanels is removable.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least onedoor is removable.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bottom panelforms the floor section of the remote enclosure system.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the cable management assembly comprises a top panel, arouting passageway and an air conditioner exhaust member.
 6. The methodof claim 1, further comprising at least one electronic component, atleast one telecommunications component or a combination thereof coupledto the frame system.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least oneexpansion cabinet is coupled with a plurality of screw and nut pairs atthe coupling interface.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising aninsulating material between the at least one expansion cabinet and oneof the frame system or the side panel at the coupling interface.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising a pre-wiring system.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the RF management system is removable. 11.The method of claim 1, wherein the RF management system comprises atleast one RF port plate, at least one RF port, at least one RF cable anda combination thereof.
 12. A method of producing a remote enclosuresystem, comprising: providing a frame system having at least two sidepanels, at least one door coupled to the frame system, at least oneradiofrequency (RF) management system or assembly coupled to at leastone of the side panels, the frame system or combinations thereof, and abottom panel coupled to the frame system coupled to the frame system,wherein the at least one radiofrequency (RF) management system managesRF signals; providing an expansion cabinet; and coupling the framesystem to the expansion cabinet through a coupling interface.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the RF management system is removable. 14.The method of claim 12, wherein the RF management system comprises atleast one RF port plate, at least one RF port, at least one RF cable anda combination thereof.